Cinnamon Rolls

INGREDIENTS

Dough

1 1/4 oz package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (100 degrees)
1/2 teaspoon + 1/3 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup warm milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

Icing

4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla (can use lemon as well)

DIRECTIONS

Mix yeast, warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in a small bowl. Let the yeast "puff." This takes five minutes, or so — If it doesn't puff the yeast is old or the water was too hot.

Melt butter in sauce pan. Add milk to warm as the butter is finishing the melt. Let sit until mixture is lukewarm. 

In a large mixing bowl combine 1/3 cup sugar, salt, egg and warm milk + melted butter mixture. Mix well.

Add the yeast mixture to the mixing bowl. Mix well. 

Once both bowls are combined, slowly add in the flour by sections. Mix until a smooth dough forms. The dough should be slightly stiff and very sticky.

Turn dough onto a workspace or kneed in bowl with a dough-hook for 5 minutes. Dough will turn very soft — dough will stick to your fingers. 

Place dough in a well buttered bowl and let it rise, covered, in a warm place until doubled — overnight, works well, but four hours will do.

Once the dough is doubled, punch it down and place on a well floured workspace. Form a ball and let it rise for five minutes. 

Mix together the cinnamon and sugar. 

Roll the dough into a rectangle. The dough is sticky and will need to be worked. Spread the dough with 1/4 cup melted butter. Sprinkle dough with the cinnamon sugar mixture, and roll up length wise. 

Butter a 13" x 9" pan with the remaining melted butter. 

Cut the dough into slices and place in the greased pan. Let rolls rise in a warm place until doubled (about an hour). 

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until light golden. If they start to brown quickly, cover in foil and continue baking. 

Make icing by combining all ingredients in a mixing bowl until creamy. Add one teaspoon of water if icing is too thick. 

Spread icing over cooled rolls.